Lemoncello

Lemoncello Recipe
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Recipe Rating:
 1 Rating
Categories: Italian, Cocktails
Keywords: lemon, lemoncello, vodka, spirits, Liquor
Serves: yield is about 6 (fifth) size bottles
Prep Time:

Ingredients

1 bottle (750 ml) everclear 190 proof
1 bottle (750 ml) vodka 100 proof
20 20 lemons (organic if you can find them)
4 c granulated sugar
4 c water
Pinched by Pattycakes10, and 111 more.
x1
Well Seasoned
Garden City, MI (pop. 27,692)
Meave
Member Since Jul 2012
Amy's Notes:

We made two batches of this and got 11 fifth size bottles. This is a popular drink in Italy. you'd most likely find a few bottles in the freezer of any little Italian Grandmother. It is often served as an after dinner sipper drink.

 

Directions

1
Wash the lemons in hot water and clean with vegetable brush. Wash and scrub vigorously.
Rinse. Lemon peels are how you create the drink's flavor and color, so it is important that the lemons are clean. Every lemon sold in a store is coated in food wax. You need to remove this wax as much as possible before you peel the lemons.
Skin the lemons (retaining the skins for later) being sure not to peel any of the white part under the peel, otherwise known as the pith or your lemoncello will be bitter as a result. Its okay to use regular lemons but if you are so inclined, look for organic lemons as they are grown with less/no chemicals.
2
Put the lemon peels in a large glass container with the vodka and everclear. Cover the jar and let sit at room temperature for 40 days in a cool dark place. Swirl the lemon peel and alcohol mixture together daily in the jar. As the lemoncello sits, the alchohol starts to slowly take on the flavor and rich yellow color of the lemon zest.
3
After you get to the point where you're ready to finish the lemoncello, remove the bigger peels with a slotted spoon.
4
Once you've removed the bigger peels, you need to strain the entire mixture through coffee filters to remove as many of the impurities as possible. You can do this by putting the filters into funnels and straining that way. Note: If you pre-wet the filters with water, they won't absorb as much of the liquor mixture, reducing waste.
5
In a large saucepan, combine the sugar and water; cook until thickened, approximately 5 to 7 minutes.Let the syrup cool before adding it to the Lemoncello mixture. Add to the Lemoncello mixture and allow to rest for another 40 days.
6
Keep your bottles of Lemoncello in the freezer until ready to serve.Enjoy! but only in moderation as this stuff will kick your butt!
Comments

8 comments

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imbossmare
Jul 23, 2012
Love, love, love this..but have to go light on it.
mvaradyteach
Melissa Varady mvaradyteach
Jul 24, 2012
Hooray! I am so happy to have this recipe. I'm glad I added you to my favorite chef's list, so I got an email update when you added it. I can tell we like a lot of the same foods by the recipes you post.
Meave
Jul 24, 2012
yay! :D
user Amy Herald Meave
Amy Herald [Meave] has shared this recipe with discussion groups:
BEER WINE AND SPIRIT'S
Everything Drinks made Easy
Italian Cooking
kitchenchatter
Pat Duran kitchenchatter
Jul 25, 2012
This sounds delicious but I do not know what everclear is?.
Meave
Jul 26, 2012
@Pat, Everclear is 100% Pure Grain Alcohol. You can usually find it at many liquor stores or if you have a difficult time finding it, you can order it online.
imbossmare
Jul 26, 2012
190 proof isn't sold in most states I had my sister get me some but u can use 152 proff or 100 proof vodka if you must substitute.

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